Sunday 10 May 15:00
Moravian Church Greyton
R200
As one of the official accompanists at the Stellenbosch University Conservatorium, pianist Philippus Hugo has a unique vantage point from which to observe the rise of young, emerging talent. For this production, he introduces four promising artists to the Classics for All audience. Soprano Chloë Loggenberg, a third-year music student who performed at the festival last year, has continued to grow impressively, appearing with distinction at a variety of events. This year also marks the festival debut of baritone Ryan Hurst, saxophonist James Cilliers, and marimbist Kyrah Adams. Philippus has curated a vibrant and engaging programme, brought to life through the artistry and fresh energy of these exceptional young musicians.
PHILIPPUS HUGO
Philippus Hugo obtained the degrees B.Mus, B.Mus(hons) and M.Mus (Cum Laude) in piano performing from the University of Stellenbosch under the guidance of Juliana de Villiers. He makes his solo debut with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 16. During his student years, he regularly performs as soloist with the CTPO, Natal Philharmonic, Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra and the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra. In 1992 he was appointed the post as official accompanist at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, a post he held for 5 years before accepting a teaching post at Rustenburg Girls school.
Since 1994 until 2010 he was the official accompanist for the ABSA National music competition in Port Elizabeth and performed as accompanist for the SANLAM music competition in Cape Town. He is a regular accompanist for the ATKV Musique, Artscape Competition, UNISA gr8 and Overseas Bursary Competition as well as freelance accompanist for national arts festivals like the KKNK, KKK, Vryfees, Hermanus FineArts Festival, Darling Voorkamerfest and the Greyton Genadendal Classics for All Festival.
In 2011 he was asked to perform with the American singers Kennethia Mitchell and Lawrence Craig Jr at the annual Maputo International Music Festival. He performed again in 2014, 2016 and 2017 as accompanist at the Maputo International Music Festival. From 2012 until 2016 he was the official accompanist for the Muziquante Competition. He is also the producer, accompanist and programme arranger for the prize winners of the ATKV competition’s country tours. For his production of the opening concert at the Klein Karoo Klassiek festival in Oudtshoorn, in 2013, the production was nominated for a Fiesta Award for best classical concert at a national festival. He regularly is appointed as adjudicator for various eisteddfods in South Africa. In 2012 he was a guest artist at the Harare Music Festival in Zimbabwe. In 2014 he is appointed as a member of the board of examiners for UNISA. Since 2000 he is one of the official accompanists at the Conserve, University of Stellenbosch and he specializes in working with singers. In 2019 he was on the panel of adjudicaters for the Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition. Philippus is also a chef and he and his partner run the well-known 254 Catering Company in the Overberg.
Since its inception 21 years ago, Philippus has directed various productions of the Greyton Genadendal Classics for All Festival.
CHLOE LOGGENBERG
Chloë Loggenberg is a third-year BMus student at Stellenbosch University, studying under Minette du Toit-Pearce. She began her musical journey in the New Apostolic Cape Town Children’s Choir, with which she performed in Germany and France.
In 2022, she started formal vocal training with Marcelle Steinmetz at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre through the Belhar Development Programme and performed in the 25th Hugo Lambrechts Concerto Festival.
In 2023, she performed with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra at the Youth Classical Concert, won Best Soloist (18–21) at the Stellenbosch Eisteddfod, and appeared in various concerts at Hugo Lambrechts. In 2024, she won the Neues Lied Duo Competition and received the SU Mabel Quick Vocal Bursary.
Her 2025 achievements include performing at the 21st Greyton Genadendal Classics for All Festival, as well as returning to both the 28th Hugo Lambrechts Concerto Festival and the Youth Classical Concert with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. In the same year, she also took part in masterclasses with Anna Haasch, Bronwyn Forbay, and Hilary Summers.
JAMES CILLIERS
James Cilliers is a 2nd year student at the Stellenbosch University studying under the tutelage of Liam Burden. He has been playing the saxophone since the age of 9 starting his musical education at the Hugo Lambrechts music centre where he developed his skills with various ensembles and solo opportunities, such as performing with the Hugo Lambrechts saxophone quartet in 2023 where he played for the Youth classical concert with the CPO.
In 2019 James was awarded the silver medal (2nd place) at the Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition. In 2022 he was the Winner of the Junior (Woodwind /Percussion) category in the Johan Vos competition. Two years later, in 2024 he won the senior (Woodwind/Percussion) category of the Johan Vos competition. In the same year, James was runner up at the Pieter Kooij competition, also winning the best woodwind award.
He was recognised for this outstanding achievement by being awarded the Student of the Year award from the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre for the second time. In 2025 James received the Yamaha award at the UCT woodwind competition as well as achieving second place at the Yamaha young soloist music competition in Johannesburg. He was also a soloist for the USSO concerto festival where he played Hendrik Hofmeyr’s Concerto for Alto saxophone and orchestra. He later won the Unisa grade 8 scholarship competition, and was a finalist in the National Youth Music Competition winning the woodwind prize. James hopes to one day be a professional saxophonist and to continue performing at a high capacity.
KYRAH ADAMS
Kyrah Adams is a percussionist from Paarl. Under the guidance of Annemie Nel, she began her music journey at the Frank Pietersen Music Centre, where she developed a strong foundation in both solo and collaborative performance. Over the years, Kyrah has participated in solo, ensemble, and orchestral settings.
She won the ‘Other Instruments’ category prize at the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy NationalMusic Competition in 2019, shared the ‘Senior Wind/Percussion’ category prize with James Cilliers at the Johann Vos Music Competition in 2023, and received the ‘Most Promising Percussion Player’ award at the same competition in 2024. That year, she also received the ‘Other Instruments’ category prize at the National Youth Music Competition. In 2025 – now under the coaching of Suzette Brits – she obtained the runner-up prize at the Fine Music Radio Bursary Competition, won the Instrumental Bursary at the Mabel Quick Bursary Competition and obtained the bronze medal at the prestigious National Youth Music Competition where she played Hendrik Hofmeyr’s Marimba Concerto in the final round. She has also had the opportunity to perform as a soloist at the Hugo Lambrechts Concerto Festival and the Youth Classical Concert with the renowned Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Currently in the second year of her BMus degree at Stellenbosch University, Kyrah continues to perform actively and aims to obtain an even deeper understanding of performance in hopes of becoming a professional marimbaist one day.
RYAN HURST
Ryan Hurst is a South African lyric baritone with a growing presence on the concert and
recital stage. He has recently completed his BMus Honours and is currently enrolled for the
MMus programme at Stellenbosch University, where he studies under mezzo-soprano
Minette Du Toit-Pearce. He has appeared in a variety of performances, masterclasses, and
workshops, with a particular focus on the art of interpretation and diction clarity across
diverse repertoires.
His masterclass experience includes working with renowned international artists such as
Maestro Kamal Khan, South African soprano Golda Schultz, German soprano Elizabeth
Scholl, and South African baritone Conroy Cupido. Ryan recently participated in the first
ever “Song Week” in Stellenbosch, hosted by the Pierre Boulez Saal from Berlin. Here he
completed an intensive week of seminars and masterclasses dedicated to the interpretation of art song in multiple languages, refining his sensitivity to text and musical expression.
He also took part in the 2025 Neues Lied Competition for Art Song Duos, further deepening his engagement with art song and contemporary approaches to vocal performance. Most recently, Ryan participated in the Johannesburg Mozart Festival, where he received an intensive week of masterclasses with German tenor Martin Hundel.
Ryan has been on a pursuit of extending his experience in operatic repertoire, covering large excerpts of opera scenes in his exam recitals, such as the role of Doctor Malatesta in Don Pasquale and Masetto in Don Giovanni. He has also extensively approached growing his repertoire in oratorio works, especially in Handel’s Messiah, amongst others.
With a passion for art song, opera, and oratorio, Ryan continues to expand his repertoire in
those styles. He hopes to pursue his master’s degree in the coming year, further developing
his artistry and performance career.
